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Why is it in the News
The term cloudburst grabbed national headlines in August 2025 due to devastating events in the Indian Himalayas—including a critical cloudburst in Uttarkashi, Uttarakhand. Raging waters from the skies caused flash floods, landslides, destruction of infrastructure, and tragic loss of life in Dharali village. Cloudbursts, now becoming more frequent due to climate change, pose a serious and unpredictable threat—especially in mountainous regions.
Cloudburst: Meaning, Causes, and Geographical Significance
A cloudburst is an intense, highly localized rainfall event, usually exceeding 100 mm in just one hour over a small area. Such extreme rainfall typically occurs in mountainous regions, like the Himalayas, due to:
- The rapid uplifting of moist air by hills (orographic effect)
- Fast cooling and condensation, forming water-laden cumulonimbus clouds
- Sudden release of massive amounts of rain, resulting in flash floods and landslides.
- Cloudbursts are most frequent in the Himalayas (Uttarakhand, Himachal Pradesh, J&K, Ladakh), Western Ghats, and NE India
- In 2025 alone, Uttarkashi in Uttarakhand and surrounding pilgrimage areas like Gangotri and Dharali have faced deadly events, with Dharali identified as the worst-hit in the August disaster.
Why Cloudbursts Are So Dangerous
- Steep Himalayan slopes make floodwaters and debris race down uncontrollably
- Villages, markets, and heritage sites are situated close to riverbanks for historic, transport, or religious reasons, making them extremely vulnerable
- Climate change is intensifying short, intense storms in the Himalayas. The Uttarkashi event and others show the deadly pattern of homes and infrastructure being swept away in moments
- In August 2025, over 70 presumed dead, 40–50 houses washed away, bridges snapped, and army camps damaged—demonstrating how catastrophic a cloudburst can be when it strikes populated areas amid the monsoon.
FAQs
Q1: What is a cloudburst?
A: A sudden, extremely heavy downpour over a small area, often causing flash floods and landslides, especially in hilly terrain.
Q2: Where did the most recent severe cloudburst occur in 2025?
A: Dharali village in Uttarkashi district, Uttarakhand, was hit by a suspected cloudburst on August 5th, 2025, causing tragic loss of lives, property, and infrastructure.
Q3: Why are the Himalayas prone to cloudbursts?
A: The Himalayas force moist monsoon air upwards, cooling it rapidly and triggering cloud formation and collapse.
Q4: What made the 2025 Uttarkashi disaster so deadly?
A: The cloudburst caused the Kheer Ganga river to overflow, destroying villages and heritage sites. Challenging terrain, deforestation, climate shifts, and heavy population near rivers amplified the losses.
Q5: How can cloudburst disasters be reduced?
A: Building away from riverbanks, afforesting catchment zones, using early warning systems, and enforcing disaster-resilient infrastructure.
